Nikle 23 Gauge Pin Nailer

[womackdesign]

I am thinking about buying a Nikle 23 Gage Pin Nailer from Floyd tools. Model #NS2340. It can fire both 23 Gage Brad Nails and 23 Gage Headless Pins. Is anybody using one of these? Do you like it? I need to attach some solid white Oak mldgs to a big white Oak entrance door I am building. Thanks for any advice. Chad

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have a cheap a PC 23 gauge pinner. So I've been looking at some of the pin nailers out there. Tools of the trade did an article on a number of pin nailers, check it out.

 

[The Dude]

See sales related issues.

Timmy C

 

[Dan Clark]

I am thinking about buying a Nikle 23 Gage Pin Nailer from Floyd tools. Model #NS2340. It can fire both 23 Gage Brad Nails and 23 Gage Headless Pins. Is anybody using one of these? Do you like it? I need to attach some solid white Oak mldgs to a big white Oak entrance door I am building. Thanks for any advice. Chad

Chad,

I've been in the market for a 23g pinner for the last year.  After reading a lot of reviews and handling several pinners, I believe the two best pinners are Grex and Cadex.  Both tend to come out at the top in ratings in almost all reviews.  I don't think you can go wrong with either. 

Some specific points that I've picked up in the last year:

- Cadex is slightly better than Grex.  It can shoot headless and slightly headed pins.  And it has a dustblower feature that the Grex does not.  (I care about the first, but not the second.) It can shoot 50mm (2") pins.  I'll probably never shoot those, but you do have the overhead.

- Overall,Grex is much more available than Cadex.  You can get them at multiple locations including Woodcraft.    The Primary online retailer for the Cadex is Floyd Tools.  However, this is their return policy: "Returns on defective merchandise only. Returns accepted for replacement or store credit only. No Cash refunds."  I.e., if you don't like it, well you're pretty much out of luck. 

That said, there's a Canadian company called "Woodworker Specialties" that carries the 50mm Cadex.  When I contacted him, he said that he would accept returns and provide a cash refund.  Here's the Cadex on his site:http://www.woodworkerspecialties.com/Pages/Nailers Details/Cadex Tool Pages/Cadex 23 ga pinners.htm.  The downside of ordering from Woodworker Specialties is that they are a bit pricier - $349.95 + $17.95 in Canadian dollers.  As of 8/22/07, the cost in US dollars is: $346.28 (including shipping).  If I get a Cadex, I'll probably buy from him.

You can also get the Cadex pinners from ToolTown.  However, the cost is higher.  The 50mm pinner is about $383 include shipping.

- One last point...  If you can, try the pinner before buying.  (Or at least hold it in your hand.)  My needs pretty much dictate getting a smaller pinner like the Grex 635.  However, I changed my mind when the tried the Grex 635 and 645 at a woodworking show in the Seattle area. 

For whatever reason (probably short, wide fingers), I have difficulty sliding my fingers between the pin holder and the triggers on the 635.  My finger kept catching both triggers and causing accidental firings!  The distance between the pin holder and the triggers on the 645 is wider and I had NO problems with the 645. 

Given that the Grex 645 and the Cadex CPB23.50 have exactly the same body (but different internals), I expect that I'm safe in buying either.  If the 645 will fit you, then the Cadex probably will also fit you.

Just some thoughts.

Dan.

 

[JimRay]

Under the truth in (not) advertising policy, McFeely's sells Grex.

That said, Grex just came out with a new 2" pinner, announced at AWFS. We talked with the owner about the trend toward headed and headless pins in the same gun. Frank said that the basic problem with the arrangement is that the tolerances must be opened up to allow for the headed pins. Jams are more common, and in his opinion, the guns were not as reliable. Made sense to me. If you are shooting a 23ga pin, (and the gauge is defined by the shank diameter), putting a head on it can be achieved by reducing the shank diameter, or increasing the head diameter (all right, I know the pins are not round, but humor me here, please). If the head diameter goes up, thegun must provide more than the necessary clearance for the shank. If the shank diameter goes down , the pin is no longer 23ga, and 23ga was already rather small.

Cadex has a good rep, maybe they figured out how to make the gun reliable. For my money, though, I'd stick with a simple pinner. The head probably isn't going to add much holding power (even if it doubles, what do you have?) Pinners are designed to position things while glue dries!

Jim Ray

 

[stvrowe]

I ended up purchasing a Grex P635 at the AWFS show.  I tried 3 different Grex pinners and preferred the feel of the smaller tool over the ones with greater capacity.  The 1-3/4" or 2" capacities would see very limited use in my application so the smaller tool was the perfect choice for me.  So far I haven't used the Grex a whole lot but, from what I have seen so far, I like it.  I suspect that I would have been equally as happy with the Nikle or Cadex but I didn't see them at the show and couldn't touch and feel.
Steve

 

[semenza]

Hi,

        A few things-

                    First both the Grex and the Cadex (interesting how they both end in "ex") are acceptable in a Festoolian shop because of the color schemes. So you are safe in that regard.

                    I don't see the use of a 2" pin in woodworking. They are so thin that at that length they will be going off course and curving etc inside the wood. I know they must have a use because they are being manufactured and sold.

                    It sounds like some fairly good sized moldings that you will be using and perhaps the pins are not really enough. Especially in Oak. Even if only to hold while glue dries.

                    The point of a pin is to be nearly invisable. So i don't get the whole puting a head on it deal.  If you are going to a headed fastener for more holding power then you may as well just jump up to 18ga.

                    I have the Grex 635 and am very happy with it.

Seth

 

[Jim McFarland]

I've only had for a couple of weeks but another vote for the Grex P635.  Very small (but not invisible) holes in walnut trim.  My neighbor borrowed to install some 1/4" pine trim and said he pulled on the trim after to make sure the gun actually shot -- the holes were nearly invisible.  All pins (1") countersunk (compressor @ 90 psi) and no evidence of trim splitting in either application.

 

[Lou Miller]

One more vote for the Grex 635 here. I've used mine a whole lot (probably shot around 25,000 pins with it) since getting it and its been flawless. Like others have said, I don't see the need for pins up to 2" in length. Putting a head on a pin makes absolutley no sense to me whatsoever either. I've read the reasoning behind it, but I just shake my head every time. Hey, if someone wants to make things even more complicated and expensive, go ahead. I'll stick with what has been working 100% of the time though.

 

[womackdesign]

Thanks everybody for all your input. On the group advice I bought a Grex P 645 23 gage nailer from Timmy at the Festool Junkie. It will shoots up to 1.75 pins and that should do the trick. I do have a Nikle 23 gage nailer that shoots .375 to .75 pins that I like very much. I use it it pin mldgs in glazing bars for glass cabinet doors. I don't use nails or pins alot but  the new Grex should work nicely on some of the mldgs for my door project. Thanks again. Chad 

 

[Trevor H]

I say go with the Grex. Great guns my friends. And don't forget. Grex does make a 2 " headless pin with auto lockout (gun won't fire with 6 or 7 pins left to prevent dry firing!) When a 2 inch 23 gauge headless pin can fasten a round toothpick to Solid Hickory, I would have to say that's one darn good gun. The silencer is a sweet feature to that i can't seem to get over!